Billfold



A. A. TOLBERT 2,609,025

BILLFOLD Sept. 2, 1952 3 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed. D60. 51, 1947 IN VEN TOR.

Sep 1952 A. A. TOLBERT BILLFOL D 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 31, 1947 INVENTOR. ArZfiarAJbZZerf Patented Sept. 2, 1952 BILLFOLD Arthur A. Tolbert, Yoakum, Tex., assignor to Tex Tan. of Yoakum, Yoakum, Tex.,v a corporation of Texas Application December 31, 1947, Serial No. 794,839

6 Claims.

This invention relates to billfolds of the type. adapted for use in carrying paper currency, cards, postage stamps and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide in a billtold superposed inner and outer end pockets forholding cards or the like, of such construction that the capacity and use of either pocket is not hampered by themagnitude of the contents of the other'pocket.

A further objectof the invention is to provide in a billfold, a card pocket which will normally hold the contents firmly therein; and which will release the contents'for easy removal by a slight pressure exerted upon the outer edges of the pocket.

A further object is to provide in a billfold, a pocket equipped with means to facilitate insertion and, removal of cards, which will normally tend to expand the pocket laterally, thereby causing the outer wall to clamp the contents of the pocket therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a billfold, a pocket equipped with a sliding transparent container for stamps or the like, said pocket being constructed to provide visibility of the contents of the container, and to'permit extension oi the container by pressure of the thumb at the base thereof. V Y

A further object is to provide, inja device as above mentioned, means for limiting the outward movementoi' the container in a position from which the contents maybe readily removed without' a'complete removal of the container.

,Qther objectswill appear hereinafter.

'With these objects in view the invention consists generally in a billtold having inner end pockets, and an expandable pocket superposed on one of said end pockets and having three closed edges free for movement relative to the end pocket.

The invention further consists in the combination or an inner pocket and a superposed pocket as above stated, with a resilient expander in the superposed pocket to causethe outer wall of said pocket to press upon and hold the contents of the pocket, and which will release and lift the contents for easy extraction when pressure is applied to the opposite edges of the pocket.

The inventionfurther consists in an inner pocket and a superposed pocket having three closed edges free for movement relative to the adjacent wall" of the inner pocket, arr expander in said superposed bcket'comprising' asheet of resilient material snugly fitting within said 2. permitting ready insertion of" the expander but preventing accidental withdrawal thereof.

The invention further consists in a superposed pocket having an open end, a sliding container in said pocket comprising a folded sheet of transparent plastic material such as cellophane, with thefolded edge innermost, and means ad jacent the outer open end of the pocket and engaging between the folds of the container tov limit the outward movement thereof.

The invention further consists in various details of construction and arrangements of parts all as will be fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a billfold embodying my invention, the same being illustrated in open position,

Fig. 2v is a transverse section taken on the line 2-'-2 of Fig. land illustrated upon an enlarged scale,

Fig; Bis a transverse section onsubstantially the line 3----3v of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a'simil-ar section taken on the line: 4"4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the line 5-5 of' Fig. 3,

Fig; 6 is a detail section of the pocket expandertaken on substantially the line 66 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a detail upon a reduced scale, of the inner wall of the billfold and thepocket divider illustrating the manner of connecting the same,

Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of the billfold in fully open position, portions being broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction.

Fig. 91s a longitudinal section on the line 9- 9- of Fig. 8, i

Fig. 10 is flat plan view of the main body blank from Which' the billfold is formed, illustrated upon a reduced scale,

Figs. ll, l2, l3 and 14 are similar views of other blanks forming parts of the device,

Fig. 15 is a detail plan view of the sliding stamp holder, and the stop for limiting the outward movement of the holder, and

Fig. 16 is an edge view of the same.

Referring to the drawings, In indicates the outer wall of the billfold and II the main inner wall thereof, which together form a pocket l2 for paper currency, checks and the like. Between the walls H3 and H is a divider l3 separating the pocket-l2 into compartments l4 and i5, as; shown pocket between the lateral edges thereof, and BB in Figs. 3 and 9.

having serrations dnthe lateral edges thereof The outer wall in is defined on the main body blank illustrated in Fig. 10, by the upper and lower score lines It and I9 respectively, and the transverse score lines 20 and 2|. Secured to the inner face of the outer wall l as by cementing, is a skiver liner 22; and a flap 23 on the upper edge of the blank I1, is folded over the skiver liner and cemented in place, providing a reenforced upper edge to the outer wall l0.

Integral with the wall I0 and extending from the lower edge thereof as defined by the score line 9, are end-pocket forming sections 26 and 21 which fold over the inner wall II and form the outer walls of the end pockets 28 and 29 respectively. The blank is cut away between the pocket forming sections as at 30, to give access to the pockets 28 and 29 when the billfold is opened, and to permit unhampered folding of the device. A tab 3| is left between the sections 26 and 27, which is folded inwardly and upwardly, and cemented to the liner 22, forming a reenforced lower edge for the central or hinge portion 32.

The upper edges of the sections 26 and 21 are formed with flaps 35 and 36 respectively which are folded over the upper edge of the inner wall I and stitched thereto as indicated at 31.

' The inner wall I is somewhat shorter than the outer wall l0, and is attached at its ends to the outer ends of the walls 26 and 21, as by stitching 38, and it should be noted that said outer ends of the walls 26 and 2! are cut back as at 39 to conform to the length of the wall II and for a purpose hereinafter described.

Formed on the ends of the outer wall Ill are flaps 4| and 42 which are folded over and preferably cemented to the outer faces of the walls 26 and 21 respectively; and terminal tabs 43 and 44 on said flaps are extended through transverse slots 45 and 46 in said pocket walls, and secured in position as will more fully appear hereinafter.

By having the inner wall shorter than the outer wall I 6, and having the pocket walls 26 "and 2'! cut back as above described, the flaps 4| and 42 may be readily folded over said pocket walls leaving a clearance at the ends of the device between said fiaps and the ends of the walls II and 2621, so that the device may be readily folded even when the compartments I4 and i are well filled. Also for this reason the divider |3 is considerably shorter than the walls In and The divider I3 extends slightly above the upper edge of the inner wall H, but terminates below the upper edge of the wall l6, so as to facilitate access to the desired compartment l4 or l5. The lower portion of the divider is tapered downwardly as at 41, and the central portion of the lower edge is arcuately cut as at 48, which also facilitates folding the billfold. The lower edge of the divider, between the tapered ends 41 and the cut 48 is secured to the lower edge of the inner wall II as by stitching 49.

Superposed over the pocket 28 is an inner pocket 50 having an outer wall 5| formed from a blank 52, shown in Fig. 11. This wall 5| is defined on said blank by upper and lower score lines 53 and 54, a transverse score line 55 at the outer end of the pocket, and an inner edge 56 which is reversely curved forming a recess 51 to facilitate handling the contents of the pocket. The outer wall 5| is substantially the same width as the end pocket wall 26, and is provided on the upper and lower edges with flaps 60 which are folded under the wall 5|. Tabs 6| are provided on the longitudinal edges of said flaps, which are 4 extended through longitudinally disposed slots 62 formed in the end pocket wall 26.

On the outer end of the wall 5| is a flap 63, which is folded under said wall and provided with a terminal tab 64 which is extended through the transverse slot and cemented to the inner face of the wall 26. The tab 43 on the flap 4|, which also extends through the slot 45 as hereinbefore described, is cemented to the tab 64; and a liner sheet 65, which may be of tough paper, is cemented to the inner face of the wall 26 and over tabs 6|, 64, and 43, forming a smooth inner surface for said pocket 28 to permit unhampered insertion of a card holding folder 66, which is preferably made of transparent material such as cellophane.

The flaps BI} and 63 on the sides and outer end of the wall 5| are of sufficient width to permit the folded edges at 53, 54 and to be moved outwardly a considerable distance from the end pocket wall 26, which will permit the inner pocket 56 to expand freely to its greatest capacity throughout its entire width and length without interference or diminution of its capacity by the contents of the pocket 28, as would be the case if said edges were restricted in movement.

Means are provided-for normally collapsing the pocket 58 to keep the outer wall 5| pressed against the contents of the pocket to retain said contents therein. This comprises a sheet 69 of resilient material, preferably a heavy acetate, cut to fit snugly within the pocket against the three folded edges and of sufficient resiliency to exert ample pressure against the lateral edges to normally flatten the pocket wall, and thereby press said wall against the cards or other contents of the pocket.

The resilient sheet covers the underturned fiaps and 63, and the slots through which the tabs 6| and 64 project thereby presenting a free, smooth surface to facilitate insertion of cards. Also for this purpose, the forward end of the sheet 69 is formed at the sides with extensions 10 which project beyond the adjacent edge 56 of the pocket; and at the center is cut back within the bounds of the walls 5|, as at 12 so that the cards may be freely grasped.

For a portion of its length, the side edges of the sheet 69 are provided with serrations or teeth 13 which extend slightly beyond theside edges and embed themselves in the leather. or other material of which the pocket is formed. These serrations are preferably inclined forwardly forming barbs so that the sheet may be readily inserted, but cannot be accidentally removed or shifted from its normal position, although it may be removed for replacement when worn or damaged.

To relieve the pressure on the contents of the pocket, the pocket may be pressed at the top and bottom edges between the thumb and forefinger, thereby expanding or bowing the wall 5| outwardly, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. In order to assure that the sheet 69 shall bow in the opposite direction from the wall 5|, a slight crease 14 is formed in the same extending inwardly from the outer edge thereof at or adjacent the center.

superposed on the end pocket wall 2'! is a stamp pocket 76 for a sliding stamp container 71 comprising a folded sheet of transparent material such as cellophane." Said pocket is formed from a blank 18, illustrated in Fig. 12, and comprises a wall 19 defined by the upper and lower lines 80 and 8| respectively, a transverse I to the inner face of said wall.

score 1me' az',"aila assass ns which' constitutes the Qll niedge of the pocket. iis x en i s i r m. the, w ll-1 .91 al he s or 2m EiQ ii t l lail 4Wh h .-ie1'd n r the adjacent end of t e ,wa1 xtended throug th transverseslot 45 in the end-. pocket, wall"21, and cemented to the inner facexofythe pocket wall 21;; said v Slot being spaced inwardly from said folded-edge By turning said fi-ap, under as: described, bindi gv f. the sliding container' H in the2b0ttorn: of the pocket is prevented. magma-M .i the. e q s anifl so xte d through the slot 46 as hereinbefore described, and is cemented to the flap 83 as shown in Fig. 9.

The wall 19 is provided at the upper and lower edges with extensions 85 and 86 projecting beyond the lines 80 and 8| on the blank 18, which are tucked through longitudinally extending slots 8! and 88 in the end pocket wall 21 and cemented See Fig. 4. The outer ends of the slots 81-88, and the extensions 85-86, terminate an appreciable distance from the ends of the slot 46, leaving free edges 89-89 adjacent the closed end of the pocket which also function to prevent binding of the sliding stamp container 11 in the pocket.

The extensions 85 and 85 extend beyond and in front of the ends of the forward edge 83 of the pocket wall, as indicated at 85'-86, and said extended portions are separated from the adjacent portion of the wall by notches or slits 90 extending diagonally inwardly and forwardly from adjacent the ends of the slots 81-88 to receive the wall 21 and lock the pocket thereto.

The pocket wall is cut away to form a deep V-notch 9| extending inwardly from the forward free edge to adjacent the closed end of the pocket in order to permit thumb pressure at the base of the sliding container 11 for moving said container outwardly and for returning the same.

Means are provided for limiting the outward movement of the container 11. This comprises a transverse bar or yoke 93 formed of stiff material arranged transversely of the inner face of the end pocket wall 2'! and terminating at each end in an inwardly extending hook 94 which projects through the forward portion of the respective slots 81-88 and into the path of the container where it is positioned between the folds thereof. As the container I1 is pushed outwardly, the transverse wall 95 at the fold, engages the hooks 94 and prevents further outward movement. As the hooks 94 are arranged at the inner ends of the slots 81 and 83, the container is almost completely outside of the pocket when its movement is arrested by said hooks, which permits the container to be opened for substantially its full length and the contents easily removed.

A liner sheet 96, cemented to the inner face of the wall 21 covers the yoke 93, together with the extensions 85-86 and the flap 84 and terminal tab 44, thereby providing a smooth inner surface for said wall and further securing the several parts in position.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

I claim:

1. In a billfold an end pocket wall, a pocket superposed thereon and comprising a wall of less width than the first said pocket wall, the first said pocket wall 'havingilongitudinali slits there;-

inspaced apart'a distance-substantiallythewidth: ofthesecond saidwall and a transverse slit'spaced:

from the 'outer endsof the first" said slits; exe

tensions-on the sides of the secondPsaid' wallrand" tucked through said longitudinal slitsand projecting laterally from said second wall, a fiap'on the outer endof'said second wall turned under 2." A device'as set forth' in claim'linwhich the superposed pocket allis formed with=a-deep notch extending-fronr-theopen end of the pocket to adjacent the clgsed end, and a sliding container in said pocket.

-3. A billfold including an; outer-.waltandi an end pocket wall having a, pair of longitudinal-slits and a transverse slit spaced from the outer ends of the first said slits, a superposed pocket wall having .lateral unfolded extensions tucked through said longitudinal slits and an end flap turned under and extended through said transverse slit, a container slidably mounted between said end pocket wall and said superposed wall, said container comprising a sheet of fiexible material doubled upon itself at its inner end, said superposed wall having an elongated thumb notch extending from the open end of the pocket to adjacent its closed end, and means projecting through said longitudinal slits at the forward ends thereof and between the laps of said folded container to limit the outward movement thereof.

4. A billfold including an outer wall and an end pocket wall having a pair of longitudinal slits and a transverse slit spaced from the outer ends of the first said slits, a superposed pocket wall having lateral extensions tucked through said longitudinal slits, and an end flap turned under and extended through said transverse slit, a container slidably mounted between said pocket wall and said superposed wall, said container comprising a sheet of flexible material doubled upon itself at its inner end, said superposed wall having an elongated thumb notch extending from the open end of the pocket, a transverse bar of stiff material arranged transversely of the inner face of the end pocket wall, inwardly extending ears at the ends of said bar and projecting inwardly through the forward portion of said longitudinal slits and between the folds of said slidably mounted container to limit the outward movement thereof.

5. In a billfold, an end pocket wall, a pocket superposed thereon and comprising a wall of less width than the first said pocket wall, the first said pocket wall having longitudinal slits therein spaced apart a distance substantially the width of the second said wall, and a. transverse slit spaced from the outer ends of the first said slits, lateral extensions on the sides of the second said wall and tucked through said longitudinal slits, the forward ends of said lateral extensions extending forwardly of the adjacent edge of said second wall, and separated therefrom by diagonal notches to receive the adjacent portions of the first said wall, a container slidably mounted between said walls and comprising a sheet of flexible material doubled upon itself at its inner end, a transverse bar of stiff material arranged transversely of the inner face of the first said wall, and inwardly extending ears at the ends of said bar projecting through said diagonal notches and between the folds of said container.

6. In a billfold a pocket and a sliding container all and ceinented therein, said pocket consisting of a base wall and a superposed wall, said base wall having a pair of longitudinal slits spaced apart substantially the width of said superposed wall, and a transverse slit spaced from the outer ends of said longitudinal slits, lateral extensions on said superposed wall tucked through saidlongitudinal slits, and an end flap turned under and extended through said transverse slit, and the edges of said superposed wall between said end flap and the adjacent ends of the lateral extensions being unattached to the base wall, as and for the purpose specified.

- ARTHUR A. TOLBERT.

REFERENCES CITED "The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Harwood Jan. 26, 1932 Buxton July 12, 1932 Buxton Aug. 20, 1935 Buxton Oct. 12, 1937 St. Thomas et a1. Apr. 5, 1938 Buxton Oct. 24, 1939 Buxton Aug. 12, 1941 Bavio July 9, 1946 Herbener Aug. 26, 1947 Herbener Dec. 21, 1948 

